![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/nintchdbpict000243697525.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDARIUS Campbell fans around the world were left in shock when he suddenly died aged just 41.<\/p>\n
The talented singer shot to fame on Popstars, and later appeared alongside Will Young and Gareth Gates in the first ever Pop Idol.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Darius Campbell\u00a0was a British singer-songwriter, actor and producer born in Glasgow, Scotland, on August 19, 1980.<\/p>\n
The Scot grew up in the Bearsden neighbourhood of Glasgow with two younger brothers.<\/p>\n
He attended Glasgow Academy and studied English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh before his pop career came calling.<\/p>\n
He was born with the name Darius Danesh but changed his name to his mother\u2019s maiden name Campbell in 2010.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Darius hit the headlines on December 17, 2017, when he revealed he had slipped into a coma after contracting meningitis when he drank water from the Thames.<\/p>\n Darius died aged 41 on August 11, 2022.<\/p>\n A statement released from Campbell's family confirmed the star's death, and read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh.<\/p>\n "Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners\u2019 office.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances.<\/p>\n "The cause of his sudden death is unknown at this stage while medical examinations continue.<\/p>\n "We ask that you kindly respect our wishes for privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother."<\/p>\n Following his death, tributes were paid to the late star from the showbiz world.<\/p>\n Darius was pictured out with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler just week before his death.<\/p>\n The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner revealed Darius accidental death was the result of inhalation of an over-the-counter pain relief spray.<\/p>\n Shortly after the first anniversary of his death, fresh details his passing were released.<\/p>\n Following the conclusion of a report by cops in the US, the music star's family released a statement detailing how he'd been suffering in chronic pain which led to him taking a cocktail of drugs.<\/p>\n They told how Darius used marijuana along with pain medication and chloreothane in a bid to block out neck pain which had been "getting worse".<\/p>\n But they said he had been in good spirits as he had dinner with friends just hours before he was found dead.<\/p>\n His family said they believe his heart condition was a major contributor in his death.<\/p>\n A family spokesperson told\u00a0the Scotsman: "Darius had been suffering from severe nerve pain in his neck following car accidents in 2010 and 2021, which was progressively \u2018getting worse\u2019.<\/p>\n "He had taken pain medication, marijuana and chloroethane to manage the intensity of the pain prior to his death."<\/p>\n Darius first rose to attention in 2001 when he appeared on the ITV talent competition Popstars \u2013 which was won by Hear\u2019Say and also saw the rise of Liberty X.<\/p>\n Despite winning over fans thanks to an impressive rendition of the Britney Spears classic \u2026Baby One More Time, Darius failed to pass the early rounds of the competition.<\/p>\n But Darius returned to TV one year later in Pop Idol \u2013 taking third place behind winner Will Young and runner up Gareth Gates.<\/p>\n Darius was born with the last name Danesh \u2013 from his Iranian father Booth Danesh.<\/p>\n By 2010, he decided to change his name to his mother\u2019s Scottish maiden name Campbell (his mother being called Avril Campbell) as he realised he feels \u201cso Scottish\u201d.<\/p>\n Darius told the Daily Record in 2010: \u201c[My grandfather] is originally from Greenock and he sang The Green Oak Tree to me.<\/p>\n "He sang it in such a way it brought tears to my eyes. He was in tears at the end of it, as well.<\/p>\n "He said to me, 'I am proud of you. No matter where you are in the world, you'll always be a Campbell. You'll always be a Scot and you'll always be my grandson'.<\/p>\n "I am Scottish. I am proud of my heritage and I don't want to lose that."<\/p>\n He added: "When I travel the world, I feel so deeply Scottish.<\/p>\n "When people know me as Darius Danesh, it doesn't reflect that I am Scottish.<\/p>\n "People say it's not a very Scottish name. But Darius Campbell reflects that I am Scottish."<\/p>\n Following his appearance on Pop Idol, Darius turned down a contract from Simon Cowell and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite.<\/p>\n He released his debut single, Colourblind, on July 29, 2002, and it hit the top of the singles chart.<\/p>\n His subsequent album, Dive In, was released on December 2, 2002, which reached number 4 in the album chart and produced top 10 hits Rushes and Incredible (What I Meant to Say).<\/p>\n He released a second album, titled Live Twice, on October 25, 2004, which reached number 36 in the album charts and included top 10 singles Kinda Love and Live Twice.<\/p>\n In 2011 Darius Campbell married Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge \u2013 famous for her role in the 1995 sci-fi horror Species.<\/p>\n They had first dated in 2004 and had an on-off engagement until 2010 before finally tying the knot on Valentine\u2019s Day 2011.<\/p>\n The pair filed for divorce in July 2013 \u2013 but were spotted kissing during a romantic dinner in August 2016.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/comp-ap-6469-darius2.jpg\")
<\/picture>TOUCHING <\/span><\/p>\nDarius Campbell Danesh\u2019s emotional final performance revealed<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/TM-comp-Darius-Natasha.jpg\")
<\/picture>‘no words’ <\/span><\/p>\nDarius Campbell Danesh\u2019s ex wife Natasha Henstridge breaks silence on his death<\/h3>\n
What was Darius Campbell's cause of death?<\/h2>\n
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When did Darius appear in Pop Idol?<\/h2>\n
Why did Darius change his name from Darius Danesh to Darius Campbell?<\/h2>\n
When did Darius Campbell start his music career?<\/h2>\n
Is Darius Campbell married?<\/h2>\n